Pejibaye River Tubing from San José with Private Guide

Tube gentle rapids through jungle, eat riverside lunch, return to your hotel

Pejibaye River tubing from San José puts you on the water with a private guide (Jonatan, 24+ years) who collects you from your hotel in a 4x4, runs the tour for up to 18 guests, and includes a full riverside lunch. Float Class I-II rapids through rainforest, no experience needed, families and all fitness levels welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Pejibaye River tubing adventure

• Private 4x4 pickup from San José hotel
• Float down Pejibaye River through rainforest
• Navigate gentle Class I-II rapids
• Enjoy riverside chicken or vegetarian lunch
• Relax with fresh fruit, dessert, and drinks

The experience

The Pejibaye River flows through Turrialba's rainforest with gentle Class I-II rapids that work for anyone: kids, families, people who've never tubed before. Your certified guide leads the whole day. You're picked up from your San José hotel in a private 4x4, driven to the river, fitted with a life jacket and helmet, and set loose on currents that move at a pace you can actually enjoy instead of white-knuckling through. The jungle walls in on both sides. The water stays manageable.

Lunch happens riverside: chicken or vegetarian burritos, fresh tropical fruit, dessert and natural drinks. It's not a protein bar eaten in a parking lot. The whole thing runs six hours door-to-door. Maximum group size is 18, but you're not herded onto a bus with strangers the way most tubing tours work. This one is built around Jonatan's operation, and the private transport is part of the booking, not an add-on.

Weight limit is 180 pounds. Minimum two guests to run the tour. If you're traveling alone, you pay for two. Children from age 7 are welcome. The operator is family-run, licensed and insured, and operates in English and Spanish, with some French.

What’s included

• Life jackets, tubes and helmets.
• experienced certified guide.
• private 4x4 pickup and return transport from your San José hotel.
• riverside lunch with chicken or vegetarian burritos, fresh fruit, dessert and natural fruit drink.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tubing From TurrialbaGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timePickup from Turrialba is included.

Tubing departing from San JoseGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timePickup from San Jose includes pickup in central San Jose; an additional charge of 30.00 applies from Alujela. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Child (7 to 17 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 33 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Turrialtours

Is this one for you?Book from San José if your hotel is in the city and you want to avoid arranging your own transport to Turrialba. Book from Turrialba if you're already staying there and prefer a shorter drive to the river. Either way, the private pickup and small group size mean you're not waiting for a bus or sharing the day with tour-bus crowds.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 17 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the Pejibaye River rapids like for someone who's never tubed before?

The Pejibaye flows with Class I-II rapids: gentle enough for all ages and fitness levels, including families with kids. No experience is needed. Your certified guide leads every step.

Does the tour include lunch, or do I need to bring my own food?

Lunch is included: chicken or vegetarian burritos, fresh tropical fruit, dessert and a natural fruit drink, eaten at a riverside stop during the day.

How does pickup work if I'm staying in San José?

Your guide picks you up directly from your San José hotel in a private 4x4 and drives you to the Pejibaye River. The return trip to your hotel is included in the booking.

What's the maximum group size for this tour?

The tour runs for a maximum of 18 guests, and you're picked up privately rather than gathered onto a shared bus with strangers.

What equipment do I need to bring, or is it all provided?

All specialized river equipment is included: life jackets, tubes and helmets. Bring a change of clothes and a towel. The guide will tell you what else to pack.